Probelms starting in the cold

Just bought a second hand GS500 2004 its in pretty good nick, I have tried to start it today in 0 C and nothing.... The starter switch clicks and nothing else. The Red light has also come on now??? It didn't come with a manual so not really sure what to do. Thanks

Hi m8,,just to clarifiy, does it start when warm,, or still nothin, 4 a couple of testers m8,give the starter motor a tap with a small hammer whilst pushin the starter button,,if nothing still, take off the panel where the solonoid switch is ,,or follow the red wire from the battery,to the next point ,,this bein solonoid, grab a plastic handled screw driver, and cross the two terminals ,,itl spark like hell , but will start turning the motor, if it doesnt then a strip down of the starter moter will be needed, cleaning the brushes and the grooves that the brushes sit on to in the starter,,

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Take it to a different mechanic. Your carb needs tuning. Air/fuel mixture is not at proper setting. Look it up on youtube if you want to try to adjust it yourself. Pretty simple to do once you find the proper screw to adjust. Also, in your manual it might show or explain it.

some bikes have a clutch switch where you have to pull the clutch in to start it, i know a lot of suzuki's have them.also make sure it is in neutral.and make sure the 'kill switch; on the right hand bar is set to 'run'

yes, something is loose, exhaust shield cover was a good guess. all you can do is check all bolts, fender or tank may be also loose. one way to check rattles is to start the bike when cold and try pressing different objects on bike by hand

you say its see its been serviced if i was you i would buy new plugs if that doesnt work try cleaning carbs and fuel filters and as to starting a 4 stoke they usualy need full on choke in cold weather when you buy plugs get a hotter rated plugs /before you try above take out spark plug/s and brush end that goes into engine with a small wire brush clean well then warm plugs with lighter or burner and replace then try to start bike

Put a meter on the battery and get a real-world reading. One at the battery by itself with nothing on, and one with the key on and trying to turn the starter motor. A good battery will read 12+ volts at rest and not drop more than a volt or 2 when trying to start.
If that's good, you have a loose or corroded connection between the battery and starter motor. Clean and check all the connections until you find the problem.